Over the last few months we looked at different people from the bible from time to time. Today we want to write about Peter, the friend of Jesus.
Peter used to be a fisherman before Jesus called him to be a disciple. A fisherman was a normal job but when Jesus called him to be a disciple that was a huge honor and upgrade for him. So first of all Jesus honored Peter by offering him that position. During their time together Peter grew in his faith also through stepping out in it and failing. One time he walked on the water, but then second guessed himself and what Jesus said, and began to sink, but Jesus pulled him out. But after all he took a step of faith in that situation and that takes a lot of courage. Later on he called Jesus the son of God which earned him credit from Jesus and also showed how he hears clearly from God. But just one chapter later he gets rebuked by Jesus because he did not listen to God. Again Peter was a normal guy with issues like all of us.
When we come towards the end of Jesus life Jesus told Peter how he would deny him in front of the people before the rooster would crow, but Peter strongly disagreed. But Jesus was right as soon as he was caught Peter denied him. But that moment changed something in Peters life. He broke down crying. Probably he realized even more that without trusting in Gods ability and not his own he would be lost. After Jesus rose from the dead, him and Peter had a conversation, in which Jesus spoke out his full trust in Peter. He said it 3 times that he trusts him and that he would build his Community (in the Jewish bible its called community not church) on him. Jesus rebuilds something in Peter by speaking out his full support to him not based on Peters achievements but based on how Jesus believed in him.
When we read further in the New Testament we see how that word came true and how he build his church on him. When we look at the church today we notice that all of us in the church are a bit like Peter ourselves. We are not perfect people; we have our problems and issues like Peter. But God still decided to choose us to build his Kingdom. He chooses imperfect people to bring change to an imperfect world. He takes us by the hand and walks with us like Jesus walked with Peter. He believes in us and wants to help us grow and succeed. So let us all take the hand of Jesus and let him guide us in our journey.
Hey our friend
What’s new in your life? Are you enjoying your summer?
Last week i (Markus) celebrated my 41st birthday and it was awesome!! Jen took me a to toy train museum the sunday before. On the day off, we went on a hike with the encouragment group and i got blessed with some amazing picninc food. At night we went out for a meat dinner which was amazing!! I made a little album if you want to see some pictures click on this link:
We also had some wonderful times with our neighbor friends. God really blessed us with friends that just live across the street! Its amazing!! Let him gift you with the same thing! Trust me its a blessing!!
Let the example of Peter show you in all our strength and weaknesses, in all our failures and successes, God wants to work with us!
God bless you
Markus and Jen
Recently we saw a movie called “Won’t you be my neighbor”. It is about the life of Mister Steve Rogers and about his children show that played from 1968 till 2001 called Mister Rogers Neighborhood. It was a simple show that helped children to grow up with the knowledge that they are special and loved and also to encourage them to love others. But not just the children, cast members heard from Mister Rogers, some for the first time in their lives, that they are loved. Mister Rogers studied to become a minister but then felt called to the TV world. He felt that he could use that medium to really speak into the lives of the children that watch it on how unique and special they are made by father God. During his life he helped many through his true love, through hard times and tragedies. He didn’t just talk about easy topics; no he talked about everything kids could experience. But he talked about it in a way that they could go through it hopeful. His show was very simple, but he didn’t need much since he showed people how loved they are. He was a very special and unique person. He used his gifting to live the gospel and make the words love your neighbor real. Many lives are changed because of him following his calling.
So this is the last blog of the year and on our series Love your Neighbor. But that doesn’t mean its done. No now it starts for some of us and for some of us it keeps going. When Jesus gave the command to love our neighbor He did not put a time limit on it. No this is something we are called to for the rest of our lives. Just think if the disciples would have stopped loving their neighbor what would have happened. The world would probably look different today.
Now its almost been a year since God put it on our heart to write for a full year on the topic love your neighbor. We really hope you got encouraged, challenged and empowered through reading through the different ones.
Sometimes you can be in a huge crowd of people and still feel alone. This is the reality for many people in our cities and some in the countryside. But now with this Christmas season many experience it even stronger. The feeling of being isolated can make people question themselves if there is something wrong with them. As longer those lies are lingering in their lives as more it isolates them and as less likely they will connect on their own. So isolation becomes stronger and stronger. And as more isolated we are as more lies the enemy can throw at us and the more we believe it because no one tells us the truth.